Pro Active Polictical Members ?

The "average" Dominican has no say in the Government here!

As an "Ex-Pat" you have none! I have the feeling that an "Ex-Pat" who was politically critical of the Present government(With a Public Forum)would soon find him/herself on a plane to Puerto Rico,or "worse"! "Nuf said"?

This guy "locks-up" those who piss him off!

Sorry to disagree with you CC but I feel we Ex-Pats have to partake in the "Education" of the electorste here. I totally accept that standing on the Soap-Box in Plaza Central somewhere may get many feathers ruffled & a trip to the local 'Rest-Home for deliquents' might well follow, but some form of "Discussion" with the locals is a start.

"She that must be Obeyed" is merely a wpman here & as such doesn't rank high in the Male Cheavanist arena, but she gets very good support from the local baker whenever she visits & discusses politics with the locals there. I think they are starting to work out her shopping cycle to the bakers & are now waiting for her to show up - ready for a GOOD debate!!

For my part, I take every opportunity to put this Idiot down & 99 times out of 100, get smiles, handshakes, thumps on the back etc. ALWAYS I get an attentive audience who are prepared to accept new ideas & listen to what I have to say ..... & I know NOTHING about politics!!!!

We Ex-Pats have a DUTY to discuss things with our Dominican counterparts - they respect our way of life (generally) & would like to see similar political systems introduced here, they just don't know the ways of introducing those systems & want US to show them the way!! Discuss politics with them & let THEM organise the way forward to greater stability & more concientious political figures in both Houses!! - Grahame.

I agree, Grahame, there are things we can do. Like you, I talk with friends, acquaintances, taxi drivers, etc., etc , about the political situation and find most, if not all, are as eager for change as I am.

But if johne is suggesting that expats should organize and make our collective views know, then I agree with CC (as I think you did, too, in your post).

I am happy with the casual approach, making comments when I think the ground is fertile, but that is the extent of what I am going to do since I would like to continue to remain in the DR.

johne, I'm sure CC also talks with people about problems being experienced here. But you seemed to be looking for something similar to what you might do in Canada or the US, where organization would be permitted by law and the authorities, though no popular with every citizen. No expat that I know of would want to try that here for fear they wouldn't like the consequences.

We don't think we are doing nothing, because we aren't. But we do try to keep a low profile.

I would definitely avoid direct political involvement in any of the main three parties, but I have provided "technical assistance" to smaller groups working towards changing the political culture: reform of the state, decentralisation, promoting genuine participation, education of the electorate, media, etc. All these are sorely needed if the current cycle of clientilism and corruption is ever to be broken.

If expats have any sort of skill that might be useful, this is always an option.

Chiri

I don't mean to say that voicing your political opinions

in the "Colmado",or local "Pub" is any problem.And we certainly have lots to say here on DR1.But any "Organized" opposition to the present "government"would certainly be a "problem"! Remember the two "DJs" from MontiCristi?And that was only a "joke"!Jornalists sometimes "Disappear" when the are too "Critical",and a supporter of the "PLD" who used the phrase "Come Yerba" while waving a handful of grass a Hipolito,was shot and killed on TV during the last Presidencial Campaign!

The "other" problem,where I live,and where I work,is that it is better for a "foreigner" not to show any preference for a Political Party! I live next door to a General in the "Policia National" who has done "Berry Berry Gud" under the "Hipolito" Rule!The "Pena Gomez' Foundation" is in a house down the block from me,and at work everyone is a "Balaguerista"!

Cris Colon

I think you will find that the people in the Police, Customs, Army, Navy, Immigration will TAKE whatever action they want to and exercise gross intimidation just for the hell of it, whether or not they have the actual authority to do so. It's all part of the "Machismo" culture! Be warned that when you arrive in the DR, you're in an alien(to you) environment and have NONE of the "inalienable rights" you enjoy under the US Constitution. That goes for Free Speech, Right to face your accuser, etc., etc., even though Similar laws exist here, they are nor universally applied.

Texas Bill